Latest news with #BLACKPINK
Pink Villa
33 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
BLACKPINK's Lisa ignored at Emmys for The White Lotus acting debut, earns nomination for THIS instead
A big win for BLINKs and music lovers alike! Lisa of BLACKPINK, along with RAYE and Doja Cat, has landed an Emmy nomination. The trio's unforgettable James Bond tribute at the 2025 Oscars has officially been nominated for an Emmy. It's up for Outstanding Choreography in Variety or Reality Programming at the upcoming 77th Primetime Emmy Awards. Their Oscars set had social media buzzing earlier this year, and now, the Emmys have taken notice. The performance featured three bold takes on iconic Bond tracks, each artist owning the stage with flair and power. Lisa stunned audiences with her high-energy rendition of Live and Let Die, complete with show-stopping choreography. Doja Cat dazzled in diamonds as she performed Diamonds Are Forever. Meanwhile, RAYE wrapped the tribute with a haunting version of Skyfall, originally sung by Adele. No acting nomination for Lisa in The White Lotus While the Emmy nod for her Oscars performance was a bright spot, Lisa's acting debut didn't get the same recognition. Despite appearing in the massively nominated The White Lotus: Season 3, Lisa was not included in the individual acting categories. She portrayed Mook, a poised wellness mentor at the Koh Samui branch of the fictional luxury hotel. The White Lotus racked up a whopping 23 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series. This makes it one of the most recognized series this year. However, in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category, the nominees included Carrie Coon, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, and Aimee Lou Wood from The White Lotus. Lisa, unfortunately, was left out of the final list. Fans still proud as Lisa joins Emmy buzz Although Lisa's acting snub stung for some fans, many BLINKs are overjoyed that she still found her way into the Emmy spotlight. Her performance with RAYE and Doja Cat not only captured the spirit of the Bond franchise. It also highlighted Lisa's versatility as a performer, earning her first-ever mention at American television's most prestigious awards. As the 2025 Emmy Awards approach, all eyes will be on whether the powerful Oscars performance can take home the win. Either way, Lisa has already made history in more ways than one.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Cutie and the Beast
A strange little creature with a mischievous smile that stretches wider than it should. Nine pointed teeth flashing at you. Glassy eyes that gleam and seem to hold a secret. Sounds like the stuff of bad dreams? No. Just a $420-million pop culture phenomenon. Labubu , one of Chinese toymaker Pop Mart 's hottest properties, has generated over $420 million in 2024 alone, about 24% of the company's total revenue. Not too bad for something that's considered 'ugly-cute'. 'Labubu's success is a brilliant example of bold character design, heartfelt storytelling and irresistible collectability, which has turned the toy into a global icon. People crave more than [just] play; they seek connection, identity and artistry,' says Suhasini Paul, a toy designer who has created more than 400 toys, including surprise toys for Kinder Joy . In Labubu's case, Paul says, traditional notions of cuteness are being challenged, which makes it more memorable. The expressive facial design plays a huge role too. 'That emotional depth helps fans form a strong connection. And it's instantly recognisable. The toy is a great example of a character designed for both visual impact and collectability,' she adds. Success factor Jatin Varma, founder and ex-CEO, Comic Con India, points out how not too many people even knew what a Labubu was until just a few months ago. But once 'a BLACKPINK member [Lisa] was seen with one, it's the internet's new favourite thing'. 'Shelves filled up overnight, resellers priced it like limited sneakers, and people started dropping words like 'collector' and 'fan' as if they'd grown up with it,' he says. So, in a way, the Labubu's success is down to it being at the right place at the right time. 'It's fascinating, the speed at which something can go from niche to a status symbol. Not because of the story, not because of meaning, but because it entered the right frame, in the right photo, with the right person,' says Varma. The element of surprise is another marketing tactic that worked in Labubu's favour. 'The fact that you don't know what you're buying, so there's always a surprise in every box. I think there are various bits, which added to its craze,' says Abhijit Avasthi, founder, Sideways Consulting. Blind box marketing There's no secret sauce to marketing ugly-cute. You just have to lean into what makes the product stand out, experts say. 'I feel the basics remain the same, which is building on the attributes and peculiarities, and building an interesting, engaging personality for the product. You have to fight convention many times in categories as well as fight category codes. The idea is to charm people into liking and admiring what you're offering,' says Avasthi. So, how marketable is ugly-cute? Designers are always trying to push the line between ugly and cute, says Joshua Paul Dale, an academic who teaches courses on the phenomenon of 'cuteness' at Japan's Chuo University. 'If they go too far, fewer people will feel attracted to it. If they get the balance just right, they have a hit on their hands. There's no magic formula. There are many failed products for every successful one. Endless variations, along with blind box marketing, can make people feel that there's always a delightful surprise waiting around the corner,' Dale says. Building a personality Thanks to Labubus, the ugly-cute aesthetic is having a moment — but it's nothing new. 'One of the earliest examples is the way Volkswagen launched the Beetle decades ago. There was a print campaign, and it would clearly say, yes, it's an ugly car, but that's OK — it's hyper practical,' explains Avasthi, saying that they built a personality for the car: Very self-effacing and not shy of taking a dig at its own looks because it was an ordinary car. 'Ugly-cute branding is not just about tolerating the unconventional — it's about transforming it into identity. And often, the key lies in turning what seems like a weakness into a bold, lovable differentiator,' adds Ashwini Deshpande, founder, Elephant Design. Embrace the odd 'We've seen a cultural shift, especially among Gen Z , towards embracing the unconventional and quirky. Young adults have a strong affinity with characters that they feel a connection with and that reflect a sense of individuality,' shares Alex Baillie, vice-president and general manager, Disney Consumer Products, South Asia Pacific, The Walt Disney Company. Another standout example of ugly-cute is Disney's Stitch character from Lilo & Stitch . 'This summer in India, we saw phenomenal traction —Stitch's playful spirit and cross-generational appeal makes him a standout in storytelling and retail,' Baillie says, adding that Disney is 'leaning into the personalities and values of our characters… Audiences respond to authenticity, and that's what we focus on'. If you're not authentic, Varma cautions, your product will 'move too fast, mean too little and leave almost nothing behind except shelf clutter and algorithm residue'. Another key question is, what should be the ratio of ugly to cute while designing ugly-cute products? 'It's important that the design has enough cuteness so that our immediate response is 'it's cute'. In other words, cute with a bit of ugly thrown in has the best chance of success,' says Dale. Conquering cuteness In an Instagrammable world curated to perfection, ugly-cute stands out as a rare thread of authenticity amid the gloss of AI and Photoshop touch-ups. But what does success look like in this landscape? Is it about fleeting virality or sustained fandom? 'Success isn't a one-size fits-all — it depends on the brand's ambition and category. But a few forms of success can emerge,' says Deshpande. It can be cultural virality — gaining immediate visibility through social media, memes, influencer unboxings and online reactions. 'I can think of slimy toys that went viral and became part of the subculture of ugly-cute. Over time, some of the characters even attain fandom,' she elaborates. Another example is merchandise and brand licensing. 'When a not-so-cute toy or a character evolves into a cult brand, it can unlock other revenue streams like apparel, content, stickers, etc. Think of the SpongeBob SquarePants,' Deshpande adds. Finally, success comes from longevity, through consistency. Cute, ugly, authentic or clever, Paul describes the virality of the Labubu best, saying, 'Design created the magic, marketing turned it into a global phenomenon.' Own the Ugly 'The human mind is always intrigued by the unusual and unexpected,' says Ashwini Deshpande, founder of Elephant Design. She explains that some brands deliberately use contrast and emotional dissonance as strategies to capture attention. According to Deshpande, there are various approaches a brand can take when marketing a product that doesn't fit traditional ideas of being 'cute' or 'aesthetic'. Own the ugly: Instead of hiding the oddity, brands celebrate it. Think of the success of Crocs: What began as awkward soon became iconic because the brand stood by its form. And now, it is even adding cute with an array of flawed beauty: Brands build emotional hooks around imperfection through humour, rebellion or even nostalgia. The Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy is all about finding beauty in imperfection. French hypermarket chain Intermarché made a business out of it by launching 'UGLY Fruit & Vegetables' followed by with intention: The 'ugly' isn't careless; it's crafted. Strategic colour palettes, character traits and packaging aesthetics elevate it from being merely unattractive to 'ugly-cute' or 'so-bad-it's-good'. Labubu toy monsters are a perfect example of tactile or sensory joys: A toy, accessory or dish may look unconventional, but as long as it feels satisfying, it wins people over with the play value rather than visual/ functional or taste appeal. Ugly squishy marshmallows are a thing. Etsy even has a whole section on 'ugly cute squishy'.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
BLACKPINK Lisa's Emmy nominated performance sparks fresh debate over boyfriend Frederic Arnault's influence: 'Lipsynced travesty'
The 2025 Emmy nominations are finally out, and while most headlines are focused on acclaimed dramas and streaming heavyweights, one unexpected nod is stirring up chatter online. A performance from the 2024 Oscars featuring BLACKPINK's Lisa has been nominated, not under her name, but her presence alone has reignited speculation about the role her boyfriend, Frederic Arnault, may have played in her rise in the global spotlight. Lisa's Oscar moment lands an Emmy nod but not for what fans think. The nomination in question falls under Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming. The performance, a James Bond-themed tribute at the 2024 Oscars, was choreographed by Mandy Moore and featured a powerhouse trio: Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye. While the Emmy nod rightfully credits Moore, Lisa's presence in the number has reignited the online debate that first flared up when the Oscars aired. EMMY NOMINATED PERFORMANCE Back then, critics questioned why Lisa, a K-pop idol with no prior acting roles or original Oscar-nominated tracks, had taken centre stage in such a high-profile segment. Some fans speculated that her relationship with Frederic Arnault, son of LVMH's CEO and a key executive himself, may have helped secure her spot, since LVMH was one of the event's major sponsors. Others felt she simply didn't 'earn' the spotlight, and now, the Emmy nomination has brought those discussions back. The White Lotus, Lisa's acting debut, racks up nominations too Interestingly, Lisa's name was also floated in Emmy conversations for her acting debut in the buzzy third season of The White Lotus, where she played the mysterious character Mook. The HBO series has emerged as the second-most-nominated show this year, pulling in an impressive 23 nominations, just behind the frontrunner Severance. While Lisa didn't individually land an acting nomination, many fans celebrated her inclusion in such a critically acclaimed series, marking a milestone in her transition from global pop star to Hollywood crossover talent. Internet brings back lip sync allegations Lisa's Oscar performance was highly contentious, with some users claiming the segment was pre-recorded and others accusing her of lip-syncing during the live broadcast. "The Emmy voters must be thrilled to honour choreography from a James Bond tribute that had half the audience asking, 'Wait, was that live?'" one user wrote. The Emmy voters must be thrilled to honor choreography from a James Bond tribute that had half the audience asking, "Wait, was that live?" "Does this make sense? I don't have any problems with Raye and Doja. But Lisa?" another user mentioned. Does this make sense? I don't have any problems with Raye and Doja. But Lisa? "Mind you, this lipsynced travesty is nominated in the same category as THEE BEYONCÉ BOWL," one user added. Mind you this lipsynced travesty in nominated in the same category as THEE BEYONCÉ BOWL However, some fans also came out in her defence, with one mentioning, "Before losers start crying, shaking, and throwing up in the QTs, shout out to the CHOREOGRAPHER for her well-deserved nomination—the execution was immaculate!" before losers start crying shaking throwing up in the qts shout out to the CHOREOGRAPHER for her well deserved nomination- the execution was immaculate! "The award goes to the choreographer of the performance, and there are already misogynistic people saying that LISA paid for this. Like, can you think before commenting stupid things?" wrote another user. The award goes to the choreographer of the performance and there are already misogynistic people saying that LISA paid for can you think before commenting stupid things? Meanwhile, Lisa is currently lighting up stages on BLACKPINK's DEADLINE World Tour alongside bandmates Jennie, Rosé, and Jisoo, earning praise for her show-stopping performances and stage presence at every stop. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Bruno Mars Net Worth' Trend Explained Amid Out of Debt Joke
Bruno Mars' net worth started trending online recently after the 'Grenade' hitmaker made a joke about a rumor from last year, which suggested he was in debt. The 16-time Grammy winner recently surprised fans at BLACKPINK's concert in Los Angeles on July 13, 2025. The South Korean girl group stopped by the city as part of their ongoing Deadline World Tour. But why is Bruno Mars' net worth trending, and what's the joke about him being out of debt? Here's everything you need to know. Bruno Mars shared a post on Instagram, highlighting his surprise appearance at BLACKPINK's concert at SoFi Stadium in L.A. At the concert, he joined Rosé in performing the duo's hit song 'APT.' 'Almost out of debt BehhhhhBehhhhh!!!' Mars captioned the post, adding, 'Preciate You ROSAAAAYYYYYY!!!! The caption humorously references a rumor that made the rounds last year. This rumor, which supposedly originated from a NewsNation report, alleged that the 'Die with a Smile' singer amassed a $50 million debt to MGM Resorts. An insider claimed that MGM 'basically [owned]' Bruno Mars. They added, 'He makes $90 million a year off of the deal he did with the casino, but then he has to pay back his debt… after taxes (Mars makes $1.5 million per night).' MGM Resorts subsequently debunked the rumor in a statement to multiple outlets. 'We're proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world's most thrilling and dynamic performers,' the statement read. 'From his shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM to the new Pinky Ring lounge at Bellagio, Bruno's brand of entertainment attracts visitors from around the globe,' it added. (via Complex) It continued, 'MGM and Bruno's partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect. Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM.' MGM concluded its statement, expressing excitement at 'creating unforgettable experiences' for guests. This wasn't the first time Mars made a joke about the debt rumors. Early this year, the pop icon celebrated a major milestone in his career — reaching 150 million monthly listeners on Spotify. He took to Instagram Stories to encourage fans to continue streaming his music, jokingly adding, 'I'll be out of debt in no time.' (via US Weekly) The post 'Bruno Mars Net Worth' Trend Explained Amid Out of Debt Joke appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
India Today
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
BLACKPINK's JUMP tops Sabrina Carpenter's Manchild as biggest 2025 debut
BLACKPINK have made a triumphant return, and they're bigger than ever. Their newest digital single, 'JUMP', has made waves across the global music scene with an explosive debut on Spotify. The track has broken multiple records, raising the bar for both K-pop and female the moment it dropped, 'JUMP' drew huge attention from fans around the world. In its first 24 hours, the song accumulated more than 9.3 million streams, the highest first-day total for any female artiste on Spotify in 2025. The title was earlier held by Sabrina Carpenter for her song 'Manchild'.advertisementOf that total, 7.028 million streams were officially counted, landing 'JUMP' at No. 2 on Spotify's Global Daily Chart, just behind Justin Bieber's 'DAISIES', which opened with 8.34 million streams. While it narrowly missed the top spot overall, BLACKPINK claimed the highest debut for any girl group or K-pop act this year, setting a new benchmark in the process. Prior to BLACKPINK's comeback, AESPA held the 2025 record for the biggest debut by a K-pop girl group, with 2.39 million first-day streams for 'Dirty Work'. 'JUMP' didn't just surpass that milestone, it nearly quadrupled it. (Credit: X/kchartsmaster) The gap widens further when compared with other leading K-pop releases by female acts this year. TWICE's highly awaited track 'THIS IS FOR' earned 2.25 million streams on day one. Against such figures, BLACKPINK's performance underscores their extraordinary global success of 'JUMP' also had an impact beyond the K-pop genre. Sabrina Carpenter's Manchild, which previously led 2025's female Spotify debuts with 8.7 million streams taking the top spot among all female artists this addition to the song's success, the release of JUMP also sent BLACKPINK soaring up Spotify's artist rankings. The group jumped an impressive 128 spots on the Global Daily Top Artists chart, climbing to No. 41 within just one day.- EndsMust Watch
